How to Run a Christmas Tree Farm

Christmas comes once a year, but running a Christmas Tree farm is a year-round business. Farmers usually take January off, but are hard at work by February. Understanding the proper care of Christmas Trees, marketing techniques and the market are all essential to running a Christmas Tree Farm.

Things You'll Need

• Year-round commitment to the Christmas Tree industry
• Basic understanding of forestry and tree care

Instructions

1. Decide what kind of tree farm you want to run and develop a business plan. Decide if it will it be a "cut your own" for locals only, or ship wholesale to other areas of the country.

2. Look for tree farms available for purchase on your state's Christmas Tree Association website.

3. Purchase equipment for your tree farm if it is not included in the purchase agreement. You will need tree shakers, bailers, saws for patrons who don't bring their own and tractors with wagons to transport patrons.

4. Join a Christmas Tree Farm association in your area. These groups meet regularly to discuss environmental issues, marketing strategies and proper tree care and maintenance.

5. Determine which areas of your farm you will use for "you cut" and which you will use for cutting to sell at tree lots or local merchants. Mark the areas for "you cut" clearly at the beginning of each different section.

6. Choose trees that are hardy for the area where you live for yearly replanting. Consider the market when choosing and know what kind of trees are selling before planting.

7. Open your tree farm for "you cut" at or around Thanksgiving. Many families like to have their tree and decorate it right after this holiday.

Tips & Warnings

• Customers to "you cut" Christmas Tree Farms are looking for many products. Consider adding items like wreaths and evergreen rope to your inventory each year.

• As your tree farm develops, you might want to add a place for cider, coffee and donuts. Some Christmas tree farms also offer photographs and visits with Santa.